John 6

After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;

(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

I am that bread of life.

Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

What does John 6:34 mean?

Explanation

John 6:34 is a response from the crowd that had gathered around Jesus after the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with just five barley loaves and two small fishes.

In the preceding verses, Jesus had explained to them that they should not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which He would give them.

He identifies himself as the "bread of life," stating that whoever comes to Him shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Him shall never thirst.

The crowd's request, "Lord, evermore give us this bread," reveals their desire for this sustenance that Jesus speaks of, yet they are likely still thinking of physical bread and ongoing provision rather than the spiritual sustenance that Jesus offers.

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Historical Context

This passage is part of the Gospel of John, written to a Christian audience that was predominantly Greek-speaking and familiar with Hellenistic philosophy and Jewish tradition.

The event takes place after the miraculous feeding, a sign that points to Jesus' divine provision and identity.

It echoes the Old Testament narrative where God provided manna from heaven to the Israelites in the wilderness.

This setting provides the basis for Jesus to introduce a teaching about spiritual nourishment and the sustenance that comes from belief in Him.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives offer varying insights regarding this verse.

The traditional Christian view sees Jesus as the spiritual sustenance for all believers; the bread that He offers is His teaching, His person, His body given for the salvation of the world.

Catholic theology, particularly, connects this verse with the Eucharist, where Christ is believed to be present in the bread and wine.

Reformed theology may emphasize the sovereignty of God in providing spiritual sustenance and the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as represented by the bread of life.

Liberation theology might use this verse to highlight Jesus' identification with the hungry and the poor, interpreting "evermore give us this bread" as a cry for justice and provision for the needs of the oppressed.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in one's life as a reminder to prioritize spiritual growth and sustenance. It can encourage believers to seek fulfillment and meaning in their relationship with Jesus, rather than in material possessions.

It suggests that engaging with Jesus' teachings and living according to His principles can provide a sense of spiritual satisfaction that outlasts physical gratification.

Cross-References

John 6:27: "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."
John 6:32-33: "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world."

John 6:35: "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
Exodus 16:4: "Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key words in this verse include:

"Lord" (Greek: Κύριε, Kyrie): A title of respect or authority, here specifically addressing Jesus and recognizing His divine authority.
"evermore" (Greek: πάντοτε, pantote): Meaning always or forever, indicating a desire for continual provision.
"give" (Greek: δός, dos): An imperative form of the verb which means "to give," reflecting urgency or immediacy in the crowd's request.
"bread" (Greek: ἄρτον, arton): Refers to bread as a staple food item, but used metaphorically by Jesus to represent Himself as the essential sustenance for spiritual life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, bread was a fundamental component of the diet and often symbolized life, sustenance, and provision.

The concept of divine food provided by gods can be found in various myths, such as the ambrosia of the Greek gods or the sacred food offerings in temples.

In Judaism, bread plays a significant role as part of the daily meal and in religious rituals, such as the unleavened bread (matzah) eaten during Passover. This may parallel Jesus offering Himself as the "bread of life," representing a new form of sustenance for those who believe in Him.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the human body needs food for energy and survival, but Jesus' reference to "bread" extends beyond physical needs.

Modern psychology recognizes that humans have not only physical needs but also psychological and emotional ones.

In this context, the "bread" that Jesus refers to can be seen metaphorically as meeting the deeper needs of the human soul, such as a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to the divine.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians offer interpretations of this verse.

Some commentaries emphasize the importance of recognizing the spiritual hunger that Jesus seeks to satisfy. Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that the crowd's plea for the bread indicates a desire for Christ's doctrine while cautioning against mistaking it solely for material provision.

William Barclay points out the crowd's failure initially to understand the spiritual nature of Jesus' words and the mistake of focusing solely on the physical benefits that Jesus could provide.

Modern theologians like N.T. Wright may focus on how Jesus is redefining the concept of God's provision from that of the manna given in the wilderness to Himself as the true and eternal sustenance for all who believe in Him.

John 6

John 6

What does John 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?